Friedberg JCC

The Friedberg JCC Early Childhood Summer Experience its what we do! Our camp programs are unique because Early Childhood is all we do. Our experienced early childhood specialists do not take big camp programs and water them down to accommodate young children. They take the camp experience and keep it age appropriate. Utilizing the basics of our play-based literacy curriculum model, children have fun-filled, activity-packed days. Creative expression is encouraged through our theme weeks. Our early childhood extra specialists coordinate to bring these themes to life through literature, art, science, cooking, movement and other activities. Outdoor play is an essential component to a full summer experience. Every day, our campers have the opportunity to experience the outdoors in a variety of ways. Science and nature are explored in our green areas and gross motor skills are strengthened on the playground. Outdoor sensory tables, bubbles and sprinklers lend themselves to discovery through water play. Extra Specialists are part of our program as well. Soccer, Yoga, Basketball, Art and Dance are taught by experienced early childhood teachers, coaches and professionals. Campers also receive Red Cross swim instruction as well as an opportunity to play in our pool! Shabbat is celebrated every Friday as campers come together and honor traditions through art, music and food.

The Friedberg JCC offers inclusion programs in both Summer @ the J for children in grades K-6 based out of our Oceanside building and for children ages 5-13 at Island Quest Day Camp at the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in Wheatley Heights. We welcome children with all kinds of disabilities. Many campers are on the autism spectrum or have speech/language or other developmental delays. The Summer @ the J inclusion program is designed for children who can participate in groups of about 15 children with additional staff support. Our typical staff camper ratio for a child in the inclusion program is 1:3; occasionally, we may be able to provide 1:2 or 1:1 support. An inclusion specialist oversees the program, and inclusion counselors are typically college students with experience working with children with disabilities.

Sunrise Day Camp is a summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings. It provides a safe and fun environment for children to enjoy summer activities while receiving support and care from trained staff. The camp offers a variety of activities including swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and more.